Tashawn Manning Bio
Tashawn Manning, born on May 23, 1998, in Apopka, Florida, is an American professional football guard who competes in the National Football League (NFL). Standing at approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 154 kilograms (340 pounds), Manning has built his career along the offensive interior line, a position that demands both physical strength and technical precision. After a college career split between the Auburn Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats, Manning entered the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and has since continued his journey with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Although his professional career is still in its early stages, Manning’s path through two Southeastern Conference (SEC) programs and two NFL franchises reflects persistence and steady development. His trajectory from a high school prospect in central Florida to an NFL roster offers a clear illustration of the modern undrafted lineman’s route into the league.
Early Life and Background
Tashawn Manning was born on May 23, 1998, and grew up in Apopka, Florida, a city located in Orange County northwest of Orlando. Apopka has produced a steady stream of collegiate and professional football talent, and Manning was part of that tradition from an early age. He attended Wekiva High School in Apopka, where he developed into a promising offensive lineman under the area’s competitive high school football culture.
During his time at Wekiva, Manning drew the attention of college recruiters throughout the Southeast, eventually earning a scholarship offer from Auburn University. His physical maturation and the technical foundation he built in high school prepared him for the rigors of competing at the Southeastern Conference level, one of the most demanding conferences in college football.
Path to American Football
Manning’s path to professional football began in earnest when he joined the Auburn Tigers, where he spent five seasons developing his craft on the offensive line. He redshirted his freshman year, a common practice that allowed him to gain strength and adjust to the speed of the college game while preserving a year of eligibility. Over the following seasons, Manning worked within Auburn’s offensive line rotation, learning from established position coaches and competing against some of the top defensive linemen in the country.
By late 2021, Manning made the decision to transfer, looking for a fresh opportunity to showcase his abilities. On December 14, 2021, he committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, joining the program for the 2022 season. His campaign with Kentucky proved productive, and he was selected to participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, an all-star showcase that highlights draft-eligible talent. That invitation reinforced his standing as a legitimate professional prospect heading into the 2023 NFL cycle.
Tashawn Manning Career
Early Career (2023)
Entering the 2023 NFL Draft, Tashawn Manning was not selected during the seven-round event. Shortly after the draft concluded, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career with one of the AFC North’s most stable organizations. The Ravens have a long track record of developing offensive linemen, and the opportunity provided Manning with a structured environment to refine his skills.
Prior to the start of the regular season, Manning was waived by Baltimore and subsequently re-signed to the team’s practice squad. The move allowed the organization to retain his rights while he continued to develop. On January 29, 2024, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens, securing his place on the offseason roster. He was waived on August 27, 2024, opening the door for his next chapter.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2023–2024)
Manning’s tenure with the Baltimore Ravens covered the 2023 season and the early months of 2024. Although he did not appear on the team’s regular-season active roster, his presence on the practice squad placed him within a high-level professional environment, where he trained daily alongside established NFL veterans and coaching staff. Practice squad players regularly simulate opposing defensive looks and contribute to the weekly preparation of the active roster, an experience that proved valuable for his continued growth.
His reserve/future contract in January 2024 gave Manning a clear opportunity to compete for a roster spot the following summer, but the August 27 release ended his time in Baltimore. The brief stint, however, gave him meaningful exposure to NFL-level practice demands and the daily rhythm of a contending franchise.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2024–Present)
On August 29, 2024, Tashawn Manning was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad, just two days after his release from Baltimore. The Bengals, another AFC North franchise with playoff aspirations, offered Manning a fresh opportunity to continue his professional development. He joined a deep offensive line room that included established starters and seasoned backups, providing another strong learning environment.
Manning continued to progress within the Bengals organization, and on January 7, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with Cincinnati, locking in his place on the offseason roster. On July 20, 2025, Manning was waived by the Bengals. His time in Cincinnati reflected steady movement within the league and reinforced his reputation as a developmental interior lineman capable of operating within an NFL system.
Driving Style and Strengths
While offensive linemen are not typically described in the same terms as race car drivers, Manning’s professional strengths echo the qualities valued in any precision craft. He has been deployed as a guard, a position requiring lower-body leverage, hand placement discipline, and the ability to anchor against powerful defensive tackles. His college experience at both Auburn and Kentucky exposed him to varied run-blocking and pass-protection schemes, allowing him to develop a versatile skill set suited to multiple offensive philosophies.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the notable milestones in Tashawn Manning’s career are his selection to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl following his Kentucky season, his signing as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, and his transition to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad in August 2024. Each step marked a continuation of his professional journey and underscored his perseverance in a league where undrafted linemen must consistently prove their value.
Tashawn Manning Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Tashawn Manning’s on-field statistical wins are recorded collectively rather than individually. His career wins to this point reflect the team success of the franchises he has been associated with, rather than personal award totals. The verified portions of his professional journey include roster moves with the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals between 2023 and 2025.
Team Highlights
Manning’s professional tenure with the Baltimore Ravens placed him within an organization that has consistently competed in the AFC North and reached the postseason. His subsequent time with the Cincinnati Bengals connected him to another contender within the same division. While he has primarily served on practice squads and reserve/future contracts, his presence within these programs represents verified affiliations with two competitive NFL franchises.
Other Performances
During his college career, Tashawn Manning appeared in multiple seasons for the Auburn Tigers between 2016 and 2021, contributing to an SEC program with a rich football tradition. He closed his college career with the Kentucky Wildcats in 2022, where his performance earned him an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, a recognized postseason all-star game for draft-eligible players.
Tashawn Manning Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified details about Tashawn Manning’s immediate family are limited. He was raised in Apopka, Florida, and developed his football foundation at Wekiva High School in the same city. Beyond his hometown roots, broader verified information about his parents or extended family has not been made publicly available through verified sources.
Personal Life
Tashawn Manning keeps his personal life largely private. There are no verified public details regarding a spouse, partner, or children associated with him in the available sources. His public profile is centered on his football career and his journey through college and professional programs.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Tashawn Manning’s status within the Cincinnati Bengals organization had been secured when he signed a reserve/future contract on January 7, 2025. That deal ensured he would participate in the team’s offseason program and compete for a roster position during training camp. Reserve/future contracts are typically signed by players who finished the previous season on a practice squad and are designed to keep them tied to the organization through the spring and summer.
On July 20, 2025, however, Manning was waived by the Bengals, ending his time on the reserve/future contract and making him a free agent. Waivers during the summer months are common as teams adjust their rosters ahead of training camp, and players often resurface with other organizations shortly afterward. The move opened a new chapter in Manning’s professional journey and left his next landing place open to continued development within the NFL.
Looking ahead, Manning remains an experienced SEC-trained interior lineman with two NFL organizations already on his résumé. His combination of size, college pedigree from Auburn and Kentucky, and familiarity with AFC North systems positions him to pursue another opportunity as the 2025 season progresses. His next steps will likely determine whether he secures a steady professional home or continues moving between practice squad opportunities across the league.